title: New global guidance supports community and lay health workers in postpartum hemorrhage prevention.
abstract: New global guidance has emerged to support countries as they consider introducing or scaling-up misoprostol for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recognize the critical role that community and lay health workers play in preventing PPH and increasing access to misoprostol where skilled birth attendants are not available. As case examples from Nigeria and Nepal illustrate, community engagement and empowerment are critical strategies in successful misoprostol for PPH programs, and must increasingly be viewed as part of efforts to improve maternal health and achieve Millennium Development Goal 5.
authors.affiliation: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Clara Ladi
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Ejembi
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norick
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Starrs
authors.forename: Kusum
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thapa
mesh_terms: D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol
keywords: Community engagement; Community health worker; Lay health worker; Misoprostol; Postpartum hemorrhage; Task shifting